# NTSB ERA11CA284: Cessna 172P, N88EP, Stuart, FL, May 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2011, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Stuart, FL - Coordinates: 27.181667, -80.221107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1817&lon=-80.2211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 79048 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79048/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79048 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA284 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot stated that he did not flare the airplane properly, which resulted in the airplane touching down hard on the nose landing gear, and bouncing back into the air. He performed a go-around and landed successfully. Another pilot subsequently flew the airplane and returned it early due to a different sound in engine noise. Examination of the airplane by the other pilot revealed one propeller blade tip was bent. Further examination by company maintenance personnel revealed the engine firewall was buckled. ## Factual narrative The student pilot stated he did not flare the airplane properly, which resulted in a hard landing. The nose landing gear collided with the runway; he then made a go-around and landed uneventfully. Another pilot subsequently flew the airplane and returned it early due to a "different sound in engine noise." Examination of the airplane by the other pilot revealed one propeller blade tip was bent. Further examination by company maintenance personnel revealed the engine firewall was buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88EP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88EP-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N 17276538, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276538 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ari Ben Aviator Inc - Registered owner: Ari Ben Aviator Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: X14, La Belle, FL - Destination: SUA, Stuart, FL - Airport: SUA, Witham Field Airport, runway 16, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 60; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: SUA ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110503008549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110503008549A), May 3, 2011: Cessna 172P, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot training in question. Investigation as to whether they are trained how to decide whether to put in on the go around or go around. Pilot, on landing lost… ## Other investigations on N88EP (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ERA10CA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA213), Feb 23, 2010: Cessna 172P (N88EP), Fort Pierce, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79048. 501 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 339 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347418&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation Meyer (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347416&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20%20Conversation%20Meyer-Redacted.PDF - Additional Statements (item 3, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347417&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Email Director of Aircraft Maintence Statement (item 4, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20Director%20of%20Aircraft%20Maintence%20Statement-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.